Discover Ipswich Visitor Guide 2025

Queensland Museum Rail Workshops

Queensland Museum Rail Workshops

Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway

Top train rides and activities for families to enjoy

and greets, live performances, arts and crafts, games and more. Sunshine Express Relive the first ever rail journey in Queensland by taking a two-and-a-half-hour trip from Ipswich out to Grandchester on the Sunshine Express. Following a landmark agreement between Queensland Rail and the Australian Railway Historical Society Queensland Division, passengers will have the opportunity to ride onboard Queensland Rail's iconic engine BB18 ¼ 1079 from the North Ipswich Rail Yard to Grandchester station, taking in the beautiful townships of Walloon and Rosewood along the way. The agreement has allowed the station to operate as a volunteer-run museum, which will also be open for private tours and events. At the station you can walk along the same boards as the pioneers and pay tribute to the locals listed on the World War 1 honour board. Several steam train tours will be held throughout 2025. Grandchester Model Steam Railway The tiny hamlet of Grandchester also comes alive with the sounds of miniature trains chugging on the first Sunday of the month thanks to a group of train hobbyists.

Boasting several miniature trains that kids and adults can ride on, the members have gone above and beyond to create a realistic experience everyone will love, complete with workshops, a signal cabin, steel bridge, and small concrete tunnel. Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway Enjoy a nostalgic weekend ride with the Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway out to Swanbank and back onboard The Swanbank Collier – a one hour round trip to the 1903 heritage station. This is also a great way to explore Ipswich’s rich mining history as you go past ruins of old mines and equipment from days gone by. The organisation also hosts picnic trains and twilight Santa trains, ensuring every enthusiast and casual traveller has a memory they can cherish forever. Ipswich hosts Planes, Trains and Autos on the May long weekend. A highlight is Fully Charged which is a huge day at the Queensland Museum Rail Workshops with plane flyovers, car and train displays and activities. The three day weekend sees a variety of events for all planes, trains and autos enthusiasts. Visit Ipswichfestivals.com.au for more info.

As the birthplace of Queensland’s railway history, Ipswich is a worthwhile destination for all train lovers, rail aficionados and Thomas the Tank Engine fans. Here in the heritage city, visitors can embark on a journey back in time to where the state’s first locomotives were built, as well as recreate the first rail journey, ride a miniature train, and fall in love with steam engines. Hop on board and choo-choo-choose your own adventure. Queensland Museum Rail Workshops This heritage-listed museum acts as a well- preserved time capsule, giving visitors a good understanding of how the site operated during its heyday back in the 1800s with thousands of railway paraphernalia on display. It has also done an excellent job of creating a fun and interactive place for all, including 20 awe-inspiring exhibitions to explore like the state’s largest model track system and the highly interactive Sciencentre. Kids and adults can also experience the diesel train simulator, which is one of the museum’s most popular attractions. The museum also plays host to Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends during the December school holidays, with plenty of fun Thomas-themed activities like character meet

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